Australian surfer Owen Wright is not just a professional athlete, but a true symbol of resilience and determination.  In a life-changing incident six years ago, Wright suffered a severe brain injury while training for the final competition of the year. The experience not only shook him physically but also challenged his mental and emotional strength. However, with the support of a dedicated medical team and his fiery passion for surfing, Wright managed to regain his life and make a triumphant return to the sport.

In 2015, Owen Wright was at the peak of his surfing career and ranked fifth in the World Surfing League. Little did he know that a devastating turn of events during training would change his life forever. As he fell from his board and faced the immense power of the wave, Wright described the experience to BBC as being “almost like spinning in a washing machine.” The impact left him unconscious, and it soon became apparent that he had suffered a serious brain injury.

Owen Wright is learning everything from scratch again

The aftermath brought a mountain of challenges for Owen Wright. He experienced blood effusion in the brain, leading to the inability to walk, slowed speech, anxiety, adrenaline outbursts, and persistent headaches. His journey to recovery involved detailed medical attention, with specialists including naturopaths, neurologists, and psychologists working tirelessly to restore his physical and cognitive functions.

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He had to relearn everything from the start, similar to a newborn. From crawling to lying on his stomach, Wright had to retrain his brain to remember these fundamental actions.

For a surfer like Owen Wright, returning to the waves was not just a physical goal but a deeply rooted passion. However, the seriousness of his injury made the road to recovery uncertain. Wright candidly admitted that there was a time when he considered quitting. He said, “There were a number of times I was looking at stepping out. I had the doctors right there kind of, ‘ We don’t know about this’.” The support and encouragement from his family, who also shared his love for the sport, played a vital role in his decision to start anew. With determination and a lot of precautions, Wright slowly but steadily regained his skills, taking almost a year to make a comeback to competitive surfing.

Owen Wright’s comeback

The journey was far from easy, but Wright’s passion and the unwavering support of his loved ones kept him going. On his comeback, Wright won the opening event of the 2017 WSL championship tour at snapper rocks Australia. At the age of 31, Owen Wright reached the pinnacle of his career by winning a historic bronze medal for Australia at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. This remarkable achievement is not only his personal triumph over adversity but also an inspiration to athletes and individuals facing their own challenges. Wright’s journey from a severe brain injury to an Olympic victory showed the power of perseverance, determination, and unwavering passion.

Owen Wright’s injury left a lasting impact on his mindset toward safety in surfing. Today, he advocates for the use of helmets to mitigate risks associated with collisions in the water. Whether it’s wearing a helmet when encountering crowded conditions or facing larger waves, Wright believes that prioritizing safety will ultimately benefit the sport as a whole. Owen Wright’s story serves as a reminder that setbacks and obstacles can be overcome with the right mindset and support system.

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His incredible journey of regaining his life following a severe concussion is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience. The Australian surfer not only brought pride to his nation but also became an example of human will. Owen Wright’s name will forever be etched in surfing history, serving as an inspiration for generations to come.